Abstract
The extraction of copper(II) with benzoic acid using chloroform, benzene, 1-octanol, and 2-octanone as a solvent was carried out at 25°C and at an aqueous ionic strength of 0.1mol dm-3 (NaClO4). Copper(II) has been found to be extracted in any of these solvents as monomeric and dimeric copper(II) benzoates though the extent of dimerization of copper(II) benzoate differs from one another. The ease of the extraction was according to the order: chloroform>1- octanol>2-octanone>benzene; thus, chloroform is superior to the other solvents. In extraction using benzene the emulsion appeared even in the lower percent of the extraction region. The superiority of chloroform over the other solvents can be attributed to the low polarity and moderate solvating ability of chloroform, as well as the low solubility of water in it.
